What do you think?
Rate this book
The Oxford Handbook of Heracles
Heracles is the quintessential ancient Greek hero. The rich and massive tradition associated with him encompasses myths of all kinds: quest myths, monster-fights, world-foundational myths, aetiological myths, philosophical myths, allegorical myths, and more. It informs and is informed by every
genre and variety of Classical literature. The figure of Heracles opens windows onto numerous aspects of ancient religion, including those of cult, syncretism, Christian reception, the relationship between gods and heroes, and the intersection of religion with politics.
The Oxford Handbook of Heracles is the first large-scale guide to Heracles, his myth-cycle the Twelve Labors, and, to the pervasive impact of the hero upon Greek and Roman culture. The first half of the volume is devoted to the lucid exposition and analysis of the ancient evidence, literary and
iconographic, for Heracles' life and deeds. In the second half, the Heracles tradition is analyzed from a range of thematic perspectives, including the contrasting projections of the figure across the major literary genres and in art; the ways in which Greek communities and even Roman emperors
exploited the figure in the fashioning of their own identities and for political advantage; his cult in Greece and Rome and its syncretism with that of the Phoenician Melqart; and Heracles' reception in later Western tradition.
Presenting, in 39 chapters, the authoritative work of international experts in a clear and well-structured format, this volume provides a convenient reference tool for scholars and offers an accessible starting-point for students.
genre and variety of Classical literature. The figure of Heracles opens windows onto numerous aspects of ancient religion, including those of cult, syncretism, Christian reception, the relationship between gods and heroes, and the intersection of religion with politics.
The Oxford Handbook of Heracles is the first large-scale guide to Heracles, his myth-cycle the Twelve Labors, and, to the pervasive impact of the hero upon Greek and Roman culture. The first half of the volume is devoted to the lucid exposition and analysis of the ancient evidence, literary and
iconographic, for Heracles' life and deeds. In the second half, the Heracles tradition is analyzed from a range of thematic perspectives, including the contrasting projections of the figure across the major literary genres and in art; the ways in which Greek communities and even Roman emperors
exploited the figure in the fashioning of their own identities and for political advantage; his cult in Greece and Rome and its syncretism with that of the Phoenician Melqart; and Heracles' reception in later Western tradition.
Presenting, in 39 chapters, the authoritative work of international experts in a clear and well-structured format, this volume provides a convenient reference tool for scholars and offers an accessible starting-point for students.
608 pages, Hardcover
Published July 27, 2021
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Ogden
25 books49 followersProfessor of Ancient History; Honorary Research Fellow, UNISA
Principal research areas:
(1) traditional narratives in antiquity;
(2) Greek religion;
(3) Macedonian and Hellenistic Dynasties.
Principal research areas:
(1) traditional narratives in antiquity;
(2) Greek religion;
(3) Macedonian and Hellenistic Dynasties.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 8, 2025
This is an insightful view into Herakles, Iraklis, and/or Hercules. Some essays were better written than others; the potential animosity between Herakles and Artemis is something I'm still thinking about 5 months later. While others were an absolute snorefest.
This book is INCREDIBLY price prohibitive to anyone that might actually want to read it ($124 USD as of may 2024), and gating academic information behind a huge paywall like that is a terrible practice in today's society, where misinformation runs rampant like a festering plague across every single field of study.
This book is INCREDIBLY price prohibitive to anyone that might actually want to read it ($124 USD as of may 2024), and gating academic information behind a huge paywall like that is a terrible practice in today's society, where misinformation runs rampant like a festering plague across every single field of study.
Displaying 1 of 1 review